Hamilton Elementary School

I am a parent, and personally I do like Hamilton overall, and I am glad we have a new Principal & Assistant Prinicpal in place for the new year. In the previous years, The Pledge of Allegiance was not being recited, however, the new administration has assured me that it will be part of the daily routine, which makes me very happy! The teachers are good, there is one that I had a concern about, but it was addressed. I am excited about the extracurricular programs that Hamilton offers.
—Submitted by a parent

My son and daughter attended the preK at Hamilton and each had a wonderful experience. The preK teacher and her helpers did a great job at engaging and challenging each child and at his or her individual level. My son was in kindergarten last year, and we couldn't have been happier with his kindergarten year. Next year, my son will be in first grade and my daughter will be in kindergarten. We're so excited about the new principal and assistant principal who started on July 1, 2009. Hamilton has an active parent group and an active Local School Council. The parent group raised money to start an after-school Spanish program and an after-school sports program last year. This year, there are plans to have additional after-school programs.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter has been attending since she was 3 years old and will be entering first grade this fall. She has thrived in the wonderful nurturing environment that Hamilton has provided. Each teacher is both wonderful and creative. The principal has a professional cadre of teachers and has created a school that exceeds the standards and excels.
—Submitted by a parent

All the teachers and principal are very professionals and responsables
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter started in second grade in April 2009, having just moved from Australia to the US. The teachers and children have been wonderful at helping her to settle in very quickly. After her first day at school she declared that it was the best day she has ever had at school! Academically speaking, I think the school is fantastic. We couldn't be happier.
—Submitted by a parent

Hamilton is a terrific little school that has done great things for our daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

We have a child in pre-k who is having a wonderful experience. The school is very attentive and caring, and the teachers are excellent. They make sure that the entire class is getting what is needed.
—Submitted by a parent

This is our second year at Hamilton. We love the PreK and the overall atmosphere of the school. We've been impressed by the teachers we've met in the higher grades, and the school's scores are outstanding (if that kind of thing matters to you). The teachers are dedicated, and the Principal is around all the time - I see her everyday at drop-off and pickup - and she is always happy to talk. She knows all the kids and I've seen her several times visiting the P to get involved in the learning. The arts programs are great - my PreK daughter has an art teacher, music teacher, gym teacher, and goes to multicultural studies. She learned the merengue from a professional dance instructor! The parent group is also really involved and dedicated to improving the school at all grade levels. We also like that the school is not overcrowded.
—Submitted by a parent

My son is starting his second year at Hamilton, and has had a positive experience. The teachers are involved, and the principal is always around and accessible. This year Hamilton has a new gym teacher and offers Spanish classes after school which my son loves. Later this year there will be a sports program after school.
—Submitted by a parent

great school my daughter has had nothing but positive experiances at hamilton
—Submitted by a parent

Great school excellant staff and administation. So glad I chose this outstanding school to send my child
—Submitted by a parent

We have 2 children attending Hamilton and we have been very happy there. The parent group has been working hard and has succeeded to raise funds for an after school sports program and Spanish classes. All CPS schools have budget issues so as a parent, you need to decide what is important to you and your family and work hard to get it. We have a gym teacher starting this year, dance, art, theatre, cultural studies, chorus, band, great test scores AND small class sizes! I would encourage other parents to send their kids here AND to get involved.
—Submitted by a parent

My two kids attend this school and we have been very happy there. I think the other reviews are just people who are complainers. My kids are very bright and gifted and this school has been wonderful for them. We'd rate it as an excellent neighborhood school!
—Submitted by a parent

I have two kids that attend this school, and alot of changes have happened over the years.First physical ed. was taken away, then they took library away.How are these kids suppose to improve in reading when your taking everything away,that really should be in the school.this will be my kids last year Hamilton.They don't like the school anymore.
—Submitted by a parent

Hamilton over the years have crumbled, i send two of my daughters there and the last 3 years the school came down falling i mean they canceled gym, all extracirruclars, it was horrible. So as a parent i will not encourage other parents to send their kids there. i mean the principal was never at school, even if she did she came every two weeks i mean it was bad. Hamilton a couple years ago and Hamilton now has changed alot and i doubt that it will even get any better.
—Submitted by a parent

Hamilton has undergone a chance from a magnet to a neighborhood school a few years back, resulting in some changes to the programming, but it has maintained it's stated focus on dance and the arts in general. In general, this school seems to be improving every year.
—Submitted by a parent

Hamilton makes me very sad. Many of the teachers are just awful. It is very sad. I do understand that poor(not good) teachers often teach poor(economically)children,but that should not be the case.Every child should have the right to a good education,and the right to be respected by their educators.If the teacher does not show respect for the student, the student will have no respect for the teachers,the learning process,themselves or society.A bad teachers influence does end when class is over.It can damage a child for a very long time. Hamilton should be ashamed of what it has become. It was a good school,now it's just an embarassment and a disappointment. I feel my children are stuck. It's very frustrating.
—Submitted by a parent

We love this school. Both my children are doing extremely well and excelling. The fine arts program and dance are wonderful and the teaching staff is great. I love the multicultural studies program and to see the projects that come out of that class. The students continue to excel in their test scores. The class sizes are small which is great for the students. The new parents group is doing a great job of raising money, promoting school spirit and working with the local community. We need to rebuild the our extra There is more work to be done on extracurricular activities but the school is working with the local YMCA and others on this. The principal provides quality leadership and is always looking out for the best interests of the students. She is also extremely accessible to parents. The school feels like a family which is great for our family.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been a big disappointment. Communication between parents, teachers and administrators has dramatically deteriorated over the last three years while my two children were there. The caliber of many of the teachers has been shockingly poor. Several of them demonstrate a total lack of creative problem solving skills and an unwillingness to develop positive relationships with their students. I have witnessed my two boys' self-esteem plummet at this school because of the inappropriate ways in which their teachers relate to them and handle difficulties. My attempts to communicate my concerns to the teachers and the principal have been met with resistance and empty promises. I would not recommend this school to anyone who believes that teachers should be some of the most positive role models and influences in the lives of our children.
—Submitted by a parent

Hamilton is a good school. Dr. Strausburg is a fantastic principal, they should all be like her. You walk in with a problem, you will walk out with a solution. Academically they have worked harder with my kids than their last school. As parents we have to keep in mind their job is to teach, our job is to discipline. If we do our part all the kids benefit. I also supplement my boys education at home as I don't feel there is enough emphasis on grammar. Other than certain kids behavior issues, I don't have a problem with this school.
—Submitted by Deborah, a parent